Page 65 of Highlander’s Evil Side

“Do ye know where he’s been taken?”

Beitris opened her eyes, watching the guard shake his head. “Nae. However, where we were attacked is not far from here. A day’s ride at most. Near the cliffs.”

“Perhaps we can track them.” Fraser took her hands from him and helped her rise. She sniffed, turning her face away from him. Crying like this in front of an audience embarrassed her, made her feel weak. Fraser’s fingers lightly grasped her chin, and he turned her to face him. “I will find him, Beitris. This I promise ye.”

Beitris shook her head. “Ye mustn’t.” She clutched his arms, her fingers digging into him. “It’s too dangerous. Please, Fraser, ye must stay and let another ride. What if this is a trap?”

“I will go, my laird,” came Scott’s voice from behind.

“Nae!” Fraser shouted. “Ye will stay with Beitris and ensure her safety.”

“Nae!” Beitris shrieked, her legs giving out. Fraser caught her, holding her stare with a fierce one of his own. “Ye mustn’t go, Fraser. What if yer captured? What if yer killed?” She shook her head, her lips quivering with the weight of her words. “What if I lose the both of ye? What will I do? I don’t think I can live with it.”

“Naething will happen to me,” Fraser whispered while pressing his forehead against hers. “I will take my men. They will protect me from any harm. I’m a skilled fighter, Beitris. Have faith in me.”

Beitris clenched her jaw against another sob threatening to erupt. “Nae, I will go with ye.”

Fraser scowled. “Most definitely not. That is out of the question.”

“I can do something,” she said, her voice cracking as she watched Fraser shake his head. “I can’t just stay here, waiting for yer return.”

“But ye must,” said Fraser sternly. “I cannot focus on my duty if I am busy worrying for ye.”

“I will remain at yer side.”

“I said nae, Beitris,” Fraser said harshly. “I cannot let ye go with me. Not in this.”

“But I love ye,” Beitris choked out. “I must keep ye safe.” She stroked his hair, his face, trying to memorize everything about the way he looked at her and how his skin felt under her fingertips. “I must know if my father lives.” Her bottom lip quivered, and she bit back another sob. “I cannot lose either of ye. It will break me, Fraser. Ye must see that it will.”

Fraser grasped her hand, bringing it to his lips for a chaste kiss. “Ye will stay here. Scott will watch over ye. Have faith in me, Beitris,” he quickly added when she opened her mouth. “I will return to ye with yer father.”

Beitris felt as if she was going to crumble to the floor, like an old forgotten ruin left behind by all that once cared for it. “Ye promise me?” she whispered as her gaze drifted to the floor. “Ye promise to return to me?”

Her gaze lifted to Fraser, and she felt as if she would drown in the love in his blue eyes. She held his stare, her hands still clutching to him. “I swear it on my father’s grave, Beitris. I promise to return to ye. I will never, ever permit ye to be alone in this world.”

Beitris bit back another sob. She gasped and slowly nodded. She didn’t agree with his leaving, but she knew she would never change his mind. Fraser’s hands slipped from her, and she watched him go, watched him offer a hand to her father’s soldier, helping him rise. Her gaze lingered on those gentle hands, wondering if she would ever feel their gentle touch again.

She heard him speak, but she could not decipher the words as she watched Fraser speak with Scott. Scott’s green eyes flashed to her. She could tell he didn’t agree with his laird, but what more could he do? Her gaze turned to Fraser, her heart swelling as she gazed at the heavy set of his shoulders and the determined clench of his jaw.

At this moment, she tried to memorize everything about him: the gentleness in his manner, the way his hair curled at his nape, his soft and commanding voice filled with so much care and worry.

Beitris memorized everything about him as if it was the last time she would see him. Tears dripped from her eyes as she watched him turn away from her and stride out those large doors, wondering if this was the last time they would ever meet.